President Lungu who left aboard a chartered plane is leading the Zambian delegation to the annual gathering which is this year focusing on migrants and refugees.

He said Zambia has a lot to teach the rest of the world about the importance of peace and handling the refugee crisis.

President Lungu told Journalists that if he gets a chance to address the gathering, he will use the opportunity to showcase Zambia’s impressive record of peace and hosting of refugees.

“It’s no longer about political diplomacy, we are now talking about economic diplomacy by mixing politics and the economy, obviously if you have peace then your economy is likely to grow. Stability is a product of peace and everything will follow through,” President Lungu said shortly before take-off around 21:00 Hours.
“Most of the things we will be discussing which is key to most countries is the refugee problem in Europe.

Zambia has been having this problem for years now and we know what it means to have peace and we know what it means to be a refugee. So I think for us we will be teaching them what it means to be at peace and the consequences which flow as a result of chaos,” he said.

“Most countries in Europe are trying to say, what do we do with the refugee problems in Europe but we have had this problem, all of us have grown with it. So that is where we are headed to.”

President Lungu said peace is paramount for any nation as it seeks economic development.

“When you talk of peace, it is paramount because without peace you cannot talk of economic stability, you cannot talk of any of these positives. So for us we are going to teach them now and I hope I will have the chance to speak to the refuge problems in Europe,” he said.

Asked on the overall be benefits of Zambia’s participation at the UN General Assembly, President Lungu said Zambia will show the world that it is possible to achieve democracy growth and peace.

“The overall benefits are that cleanliness is goodliness and it is contagious, so if Zambia shows that it can be at peace, we can have democratic elections and it will spread through to neighbouring countries and they will emulate us and the region will be safe and then we will have no refugees,” he stated.

“Refugees have an impact on the economy, that you know and as humanity we cannot ignore our friends who are suffering next door, so we would like to have democratic countries, vibrant, Zambia and the whole region and at the end of the day there is peace, there is stability and there is economic development for all, I think that is the essence of what we are going for,” President Lungu said.

The tentative agenda for the new session consists of 170 items focused on international peace and security, economic growth and sustainable development, disarmament, drug control, coordination of humanitarian assistance and other topics.

The UNGA will also host a high-level summit to address large movements of refugees and migrants, with the aim of bringing countries together behind a more humane and coordinated approach.

In a statement issued on its website, the U.N. said: “This is the first time the General Assembly has called for a summit at the Heads of State and Government level on large movements of refugees and migrants and it is a historic opportunity to come up with a blueprint for a better international response.”

“It is a watershed moment to strengthen governance of international migration and a unique opportunity for creating a more responsible, predictable system for responding to large movements of refugees and migrants,” the statement added.

The Carter Center is deeply concerned about key aspects of the 2016 Zambian electoral process in both the pre- and post-electoral period, especially the failure of Zambia’s institutions to provide a level playing field prior to election day and adequate due process to ensure a fair hearing and effective remedy for electoral petitions filed following the polls. Unfortunately, this represents a significant step backward for Zambia.

The Center’s limited election mission released a statement today highlighting some of its concerns. While it is difficult to quantify the precise impact of the flaws in the pre- and post-election periods, cumulatively these problems seriously undermine the integrity of Zambia’s electoral process and weaken public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.

Overall, the 2016 elections represent a troubling departure from Zambia’s recent history of democratic governance. In this highly polarized and divisive environment, it is incumbent upon Zambia’s authorities and political leaders from all parties to play a constructive role to strengthen the country’s democratic institutions, lessen tensions, address divisions, and prevent post-electoral violence.

Pre-election Period and Election Day

The Center’s preliminary statement following the Aug. 11 elections noted that the pre-election campaign period was marred by the lack of a level playing field, including harassment of private media, the abuse of office by government ministers, and the application of the Public Order Act in ways that appeared to disadvantage the main opposition party, the United Party for National Development. The political and electoral environment was also characterized by heightened tensions between the ruling Patriotic Front and the opposition, and some instances of localized violence.

While the pre-election environment was significantly flawed, both Zambian citizen observers and multiple international observation missions reported that voting and counting processes were largely successful, with only relatively minor problems. Following an extended tabulation process, the Electoral Commission of Zambia announced the final results of the polls, which indicated that the ruling PF party candidate, President Edgar Lungu, had been elected with 50.35 percent of valid votes cast. His main competitor, Hakainde Hichilema, received 47.63 percent of the votes. Lungu’s vote total narrowly avoided a runoff election, which would have been required had no candidate received more than 50 percent of the valid votes. President Lungu was inaugurated on Sept. 13.

While the election commission inadequately managed public expectations regarding the vote tabulation, verification, and declaration processes, a parallel vote tabulation conducted by domestic observer Christian Churches Monitoring Group broadly affirmed that the official results were within a statistically credible range.

Post-election Petitions and Constitutional Court Decisions

Following the polls, the UPND lodged a petition with the newly formed Constitutional Court challenging the outcome of the presidential election. Although Zambia’s constitution requires the court to hear electoral petitions within 14 days of its filing, it is silent as to the timeframe in which the court is required to issue a ruling. The court failed to hear evidence on the merits of the petition and to rule on the validity of the election.

Much of the court’s deliberations were conducted in chambers, closed to the public. On Aug. 30, the court said that its calendar would be extended by five days, concluding on Sept. 8. However, it later reversed its position and required both sides to present their cases on Sept. 2, or calendar day 14. Opposition lawyers argued that there was insufficient time and withdrew from the case. The full court then stated that four additional days would be provided, two each for the sides to argue the merits. In a surprise ruling when it reconvened on Sept. 5, the court stated that its jurisdiction had ended at midnight on calendar day 14, and dismissed the UPND petition without hearing the case on its merits. The vote was three-two.

The end result of this decision is that the legal and judicial processes surrounding the presidential petitions failed to meet Zambia’s national and international obligations under the Zambian constitution, the African Charter for Human and People’s Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to ensure due process, a fair hearing, and effective legal remedy.

On July 19, the Center deployed a limited election observation mission, focusing on the political and electoral environment of the campaign period; the legal framework; and electoral dispute-resolution mechanisms. The mission assessed the process based on Zambia’s national legal framework and international obligations for genuine democratic elections. The Center released its preliminary statement on Aug. 13. A final report will be released three months following the elections.

The Carter Center conducts election observation in accordance with the Declaration of Principles of International Election Observation and Code of Conduct for International Election Observation adopted at the United Nations in 2005.

President Edgar Lungu has appointed former Zambia Revenue Authority Commissioner (Customs) Kingsley Chanda as Commissioner-General of ZRA with immediate effect, replacing Berlin Msiska.

President Lungu made the appointment in exercise of the powers vested in Him pursuant to section 19 of the Zambia Revenue Act, Chapter 321 of the Laws of Zambia.

And the President has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Dr. Patrick Matibini, SC on the appointment of Mrs Inonge Wina, MP, Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia, as leader of Government Business in the National Assembly.

President Lungu has appointed the Vice-President as Leader of Government Business pursuant to Article 74 (1) of the Constitution of Zambia.

The President has also informed the Speaker on the appointment of Hon. Richard Musukwa, Member of Parliament for Chililabombwe Constituency as Chief Whip and Hon. Steven Chungu, Member of Parliament for Luanshya Constituency as Deputy Chief Whip.

Meanwhile, President Lungu has sent a message of condolences to His Holiness Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church on the death of Reverend Father Kennedy Katongo, Director of the Justice, Peace and Integrity Creation of Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Fr. Katongo passed away in Rome this morning.

After dropping his third single of the year, “Ma Loving”, Kaladoshas drops arguably the best video of 2016. Shot by Ikonic Pictures and released for Tilimo Entertainment. Kaladoshas continues to raise the bar.

BY KAPA187

President Lungu’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Affairs Amos Chanda disclosed to Journalists at State House that Reverand Sumaili has since been nominated as a Member of Parliament.

Mr Chanda said Reverand Sumaili now becomes the eight person to be nominated to Parliament which is the constitutional limit.

He said the appointment is however subject to Parliamentary approval since the Ministry was just created recently.

Mr Chanda said Reverand Sumaili will be swore in immediately after Parliament approves the creation of the new Ministry.

Meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu has sworn-in the first eight members of his new Cabinet and ten provincial ministers.

These include Defense Minister Davies Chama, Finance Minister Felix Mutati, Home Affairs Minister Seven Kampyongo, Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba and Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya.

Others that have been sworn-in are Commerce Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe, Minister of National Development and Planning Lucky Mulusa and Minister of Labor Joyce Nonde-Simukoko.

President Lungu has also sworn 10 provincial Ministers who include Sydney Mushanga for Central Province, Bowman Lusambo for Copperbelt Province and Nixon Chilangwa for Luapula Province.

Others are Malozo Sichone for Muchinga Province, Brian Mundubile for Northern Province, Makebi Zulu for Eastern Province, Japhen Mwakalombe for Lusaka Province, Richard Kapita for North Western Province, Edify Hamukale for Southern Province and Nathaniel Mubukwanu for Western Province.

And speaking this morning during the swearing-in ceremony at State House, President Lungu says the next five years will determine whether the people will decide to maintain the PF in office beyond 2021.

He says it is important that the members of his working team work according to the expectations of the people and deliver the much needed development across the country.

The Head of State says this is not the time to make speeches but rather work in accordance with the campaign promises.

He has advised the ministers not to hesitate to consult on matters that they are not sure of if they are to make in their respective positions.

And to the Provincial Ministers, President Lungu has advised them to work hand in hand with traditional leaders so that they understand fully the challenges the people are facing.

He says previously, he was receiving reports of some Provincial Ministers quarreling with chiefs saying this should not be the case now.

He has since warned that he does not want to make reshuffles or dismiss some members due to non performing and thus the need for them to work hard and develop the nation.

Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo who served as Local Government Minister at the time said the former Ministers had written to the Attorney General Likando Kalaluka to re-look at the matter.

Mr Kampyongo said the former Ministers are finding it difficult to accept the constitutional courts judgment hence the decision to engage the Attorney General to pursue the matter further.

And Former Information Minister Chishimba Kambwili says it is unacceptable for people to continue suggesting that the former Ministers’ stay in office was illegal when they were rendering a service to the Zambian People.

Mr. Kambwili said he is ready to pay back the money but that he does not agree with the Constitutional Courts judgment.

“Did I ask myself to continue in office? In any case there is no deadline so they have to calculate how much we spent,” Kambwili said.

He said it was wrong to ask them to repay the money as they had been rendering a service to the nation.
Mr Kambwili said the court erred and should not have asked them to refund the state.

The Constitutional Court last month ruled that cabinet ministers were supposed to vacate their offices once parliament and ordered them to refund the money they spent after the dissolution.